Fate of Iran's nuclear negotiator questioned

TEHRAN, Iran -- The fate of Iran's top negotiator in nuclear talks with Europe was thrown into question Wednesday with conflicting reports on whether he had resigned or would stay in his post.

The issue is crucial, because the future of Iran's nuclear talks with Europe has been viewed as a key issue in determining relations between the West and the government of ultraconservative president-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

If, in fact, moderate Hasan Rowhani is out, Ahmadinejad may select a more hard-line team for the delicate talks.

Iran's media has suggested Ali Larijani might be named to replace him. Larijani, a former Revolutionary Guards commander, advocates taking a stronger position against the Europeans for talks and likely would be a much tougher negotiator.

During his presidential campaign, Ahmadinejad criticized Iran's negotiators for the concessions they made to the Europeans -- in particular freezing the nuclear program.

However, since winning office last month, he has softened his rhetoric on the nuclear issue and has said Iran would continue negotiations despite the impasse.

Ahmadinejad, who is to be inaugurated next month, has said the ending the nuclear development program is not an option, and Iran will make the final decision on when to restart uranium enrichment. But he has called for mutual efforts to reach an agreement with Europe.

Ahmadinejad and Rowhani met Wednesday to discuss nuclear issues, and an official report said Rowhani had quit, but a close aide denied it.

The Islamic Republic News Agency reported that Rowhani, head of the powerful Supreme National Security Council, submitted his resignation to outgoing President Mohammad Khatami.

Council spokesman Ali Aghamohammadi told The Associated Press the IRNA report was "false."

"Rowhani will remain in his position until President Mohammad Khatami's term ends. After that it is up to Ahmadinejad, who has not announced any stance on Rowhani," Aghamohammadi said. "Some people are implying that Rowhani does not want to cooperate with Ahmadinejad's administration, but that is completely wrong."

Aghamohammadi also said Iran's nuclear policy would not change. "The Islamic system is not dependent on any one person. Anyone who comes to power will work within framework of the system," he said.

Rowhani, 57, took over the nuclear portfolio in 2003, a year after Iran's 20-year-old nuclear program was revealed. He has steered a course aimed at preventing Iran from being censured by the U.N. Security Council.

He had expressed support for Ahmadinejad's more moderate opponent, Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, in last month's presidential elections.

Mohammad Kiareshi, a former Iranian representative to the IAEA, said differences between Ahmadinejad's and Rowhani's positions were not so stark that would call for the latter's resignation.

But he did not discount the possibility that Rowhani might step down.

"Ahmadinejad might add some new figures to the Iranian team of nuclear negotiators but the world should not be concerned about drastic changes," he said.

Diplomats from Britain, France and Germany, who have been negotiating with Iran to stop its alleged nuclear ambitions, declined to comment on the reports.

Iran suspended all uranium enrichment-related activities in November to avoid possible sanctions from the U.N. Security Council, but said all along the suspension was temporary. France, Britain and Germany have offered economic incentives in hopes of persuading Iran to permanently halt enrichment.

The United States alleges the program is aimed at building atomic weapons. Iran insists it is only interested in generating electricity. Uranium enriched to low levels has energy uses, while highly enriched uranium can be used in bombs.

With Rowhani as top negotiator, Iran has been reluctant to abruptly resume uranium enrichment because it would likely derail the talks with Europe.

A key test of Ahmadinejad's administration will be how long it continues that restraint.

Like all political issues in Iran, the nuclear program ultimately falls in the hands of Iran's unelected, hard-line theocracy, but reformers could exert an influence.